I witnessed this "trial" event and it was the fastest raw time of all participants, and 5 sec faster than me!

 

Go faster then!

 

Brian, what are your alignment settings? Will you be using the kinetic upper arm on your z? Trying to get some ideas for alignments to run my z in STU.

 

Is there any reason for choosing the RS3 over the Z2 or Rival for any other reason than they make the max 285 size?

 

You want the big/tall (35) tire. Also Brian lives in Arizona and RS3's handle heat well...

 

Sam, as I mentioned earlier, I'm running quite a bit of camber (3.5-4 in the front and about 3 in the rear). The Kinetix arms (modified for more camber) have been working great and are staying on the car.

Mike hit on the primary reasons I chose the 285 RS3, diameter and heat tolerance. Additionally, they pay contingency, like tons of camber (which I need for clearance anyway) and work great in Lincoln. The recent availability has me concerned however as the RS3 replacement might not make it in time for eligibility. Options now are to switch to something else however I don't see an equally good compromise for diameter, width clearance, and a happy fit on my 11" wheels. Oh and thank you Tirerack for raising the 285 RS3 price from $270 to $365 on current inventory!

I've updated my setup info below for all the recent STU inquiries:

ProParts USA custom Koni 2812's
ProParts USA custom top mounts
1000/700 spring rates (going to 1200/850 for STU)
Hotchkis adj front bar (older design)/Whiteline adj rear (site dependent)
Quaife LSD
Kinetix front upper arms (modified)
Megan Racing rear spring perches
Whiteline rear subframe bushings
Whiteline diff bushings
UpRev Osiris
Berk HFC's
B-Line catback
JWT popcharger
StopTech pads
Lightweight battery
100 octane tune

Dyno from just before nationals showing the 100 octane tune vs 91:


I want to note that the rear subframe bushings were a noticeable improvement. I was masking some nonlinearity issues in the rear by running high rear spring rate early in the STR build. Once I replaced the stock stuff, the car became much easier to drive with better predictability at full load as well as corner exit. My codrivers especially liked the upgrade.

As expected, early STU events have made it apparent the car needs more spring. I've bandaided by running the front bar on mid position and hooking up the rear bar to full soft. It's helped but has made the car a little snappier than it needs to be, not to mention the extra front bar tends to hang front tires and upsets ABS. I'll be going with 1200/850 next and taking bar back out. Needs more roll stiffness:



I'll say it again, more people need to be building these cars for STU! The car has shown impressive speed already and it's ended up being an incredible package if you just want to show up, put your helmet on, set quick times, then drive home in comfort. I've been fortunate to own quite a few autocross cars over the years and this one is ranking near the top as an all-around machine.

Switching gears...I've had a torn lower ball joint boot for awhile (probably due to the age + camber) and research suggests I'm best off just buying a new OEM knuckle rather than monkey with replacement ball joints. Can anybody confirm?

Also, I need to replace the factory compression rod bushings. Leaning towards the Whiteline kit but having delrin washers made to replace the kit's metal ones (due to ST classing rules). Any better options?

Thanks!

 

I use whiteline compression rod bushings on the BSP car....

 

Also you will be running more spring than me in STU trim!

 

I live in Wisconsin, so we spend more time autoxing in "cool" conditions than we do "heat". At this point I am going to go with the 275-35-18 Z2 for this year. I also only have 10" wide wheels and wont be buying new ones. I ran the RS3 on my RTA WRX in 2012 at Lincoln and they felt great and we did well (1st and 3rd in 2012). The second day was so hard to keep heat in them when it was cool though even co-driving. I'm going to be a bit more patient and wait and find out what the RS3 v2 are all about for this year though (if they come in time).

 

So far I am the only one in a Z signed up in STU for the Dixie National tour. Anyone else coming to play? I see Mike is the only car signed up in BSP.

 

BP might be the best Z33 driver and have a hot rod of an STU car, but he can't mod a golf cart for poo...true story.

 

I am running the Energy Suspension, very similar set up to the whiteline. What metal washer are you referring to? Only metal in the ES is the center bushing and I thought the Whiteline was the same also.

The ES seem to have a larger "ear" than the whiteline which ends up cause a constant load on the edge of the bushing when the car is lowered. I alleviated some of that by chamfering the edges of the bushing where the arm rests. I have had these on for a year with no issues.

We have had a few local dfw guys use the aftermarket ball joints without issue.

Hoping to make Lincoln this year for the first time. Thanks for everyones input on setups. Helps to know you are headed in the right direction

 

Make the drive to Dixie and run! What are Megan OERS? Not familiar with that acronym.

 

The oers looks like a stock style rear can. I need to replace it with something lite in the rear. I think it weighs 30 lbs by itself. Its a 3 inch pipe so just need to remove the can and mod up a lite replacement. Running a xyz for the Y.

Still a few things I need to get done for this year.
HFC and a tune.
I can bump my stock ohlins spring rates to 750F and 525R and be ok with the stock valving I plan to do that soon.
I put in a OSG LSD a few months ago so looking forward to more time with that.

Dixie won't happen. Ill do TX A&M, at least the Lincoln national and hopefully the lincoln champ tour. Blytheville if time allows. Anyway that the plan for now.

 

Not sure if Peters will be there (he usually is), but I should be at Spring Nats in Lincoln.

 

How an STU 350z should go:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/3Sn9SqA56ck" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

I Like

 

That is a fast course/car

 

Brian, was your 100 octane tune on race gas or Octane booster?

 

Mike's right, carts are beyond me...but luckily I have people for that.

On the compression rod bushings, was referring to the sleeves, not washers sorry. I *think* I found some NISMO harder rubber bushings. Will confirm they're the right ones when they get here. I had some reservations around potential bind the poly options will bring.

That 100 octane dyno was done with fuel, not octane booster. I should clarify that it also includes going from an AirRaid panel filter to a JWT intake.

Spring Nats is not likely for me this year, but things could change.